Valley of the Boom, to be released on the National Geographic Channel in early 2019, covers the explosive, game changing emergence of Silicon Valley in the 1990s through the 2001 dot-com bust. You can watch the first trailer here!  

The series will document the larger than life characters who experienced the rise, fall, and re-birth of tech as we’ve come to know it.  This is the story of the Northern Californian technology revolution.  It’s the story of how an industry sea change defined the modern-day venture capital market and churned out millionaires overnight. Valley of the Boom will give you a peek behind the curtain and reveal some of the real stories of friendships, rivalries, successes, failures – all told with unparalleled access to the most iconic figures in the tech world.

Now, National Geographic is turning to the Tongal community to create some really fun throwback videos that both entertain and educate people about the show.  Read on for more detail!

The goal of this project is to create twelve (12) different 15 second “fun fact” videos in the style of 1990s-era AOL Instant Messenger chats for distribution on National Geographic’s social channels in support of their new show, Valley of the Boom. Each video will need to be delivered in two formats – square 1:1 aspect ratio and vertical 9:16 aspect ratio – which means there are a total of 24 video deliverables.

In terms of content, 6 of these videos will focus on the six main characters from the show, and 6 will focus on recapping or highlighting something from the six episodes of the series.  Below is a list of the 6 main characters and the actors playing them. 

• Marc Andreessen (John Karna)
• Jim Barksdale (Bradley Whitford)
• Stephen Paternot (Dakota Shapiro)
• Todd Krizelman (Oliver Cooper)
• Michael Fenne (Steve Zahn)
• Darrin (Lamorne Morris)

Once the Pitch winner is chosen, they will be provided with additional show materials (including character descriptions), and screeners of all six episodes to inform their videos!

The idea is to deliver fun factoids to the audience in a clever way.  Please note: a key component here is writing, and the filmmaker producing the videos will need to partner with a writer. As a part of your pitch, you must identify your writer and submit examples of their past work (and yes, you could also be the writer). Additionally, your treatment MUST include at least one example of a short written back and forth instant message between two screen names (2-3 lines). Tonally, we want the back and forth “messaging” of the videos to be in the voice of the characters – while at the same time being accessible to audiences unfamiliar with the show yet.  It should be relatable (and funny!) to anyone who has used AIM in the past.

Stylistically, we want these videos to reflect the unforgettable look of AOL Instant Messenger.  Blue search bar, embarrassing screen names, and that elusive SmarterChild sass… You remember, right??  We’re not looking for an exact replication of this functionality, but rather something inspired by it.  Something that feels familiar and nostalgic.  

Last big thing - please review best practices for Facebook and Instagram videos here!

--Target Audience: Adults 25-54

--Exposure: National Geographic social & owned channels.

This is an open bid project, so you’ll get to set your overall budget proposal. You can download the Budget template here. National Geographic would like you to produce this whole suite within the total budget range of $6,000 and $11,000. 

This Project consists of 5 Phases: a Pitch Phase, a Pre-Production Phase, a Video Phase, a Revisions Phase, and a Delivery Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules.

National Geographic will determine whether it will select a winning submission.

PHASE 1: PITCH - Submit your Pitch convincing the sponsor why you should be selected, using:

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less telling us why you’re right for this project.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): To your previous video work. Please specify your role (producer, director, animator, etc.) and DO NOT INCLUDE LINKS TO YOUR SHOWREEL. Please link to individual videos.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed description of your approach to this suite of videos. You MUST include at least one example of a short written back and forth instant message between two screen names (2-3 lines).

• BID & BUDGET (REQUIRED): Feel free to download and use the Tongal budget template here.
  
  
• WRITER IDENTIFICATION (REQUIRED): You must identify the writer and submit examples of their past work. 
  
  
• Script (Optional): This should include dialogue from the video you intend to create.  This is recommended to include but NOT mandatory.
  
  

• Pitch Video (Optional): A 1 to 3-minute pitch video introducing yourself, telling us why you’re right for this project, and summarizing your qualifications. Feel free to include examples of your previous work or quick visual references here.

The most compelling Pitch will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will receive a portion of their budget to help create the Video. 

Please note the payment of the Pitch award is subject to a payment schedule determined by Tongal. This payment schedule will include milestones for pre-production, production, and post-production, and payments will be issued based upon reaching these milestones for each Video (or batch of Videos). 

Final payment will be contingent upon submitting Videos that satisfy the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor.

For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines winning “3 Artists & 5,000 LEGOs” Pitch video. 

All Pitches will remain private until after the winner of the Video Phase is announced and the Project is complete.  

PHASE 2: PRE-PRODUCTION – The Pitch Winner from the Pitch Phase will enter the Pre-Production Phase. During this phase, filmmakers will need to receive the following Approvals from the brand: 

• DESIGN – This project requires Design Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your visual design and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a design is approved by the brand.
• SCRIPT – This project requires Script Approval before filmmakers move onto the Video Phase. The brand may provide feedback on your Script and ask you to submit a new version. There may be multiple rounds of feedback until a Script is approved by the brand.

No filmmakers may begin shooting their Video until all Approvals are completed and the Video Phase has officially begun. If you begin shooting your Video during the Pre-Production Phase before you have received final approval, there is a chance you will need to reshoot (at your own expense).

For your convenience, we’ve provided some helpful templates to use at your discretion. They include templates for creating a Treatment, Production Budget, Storyboards, Shot List, Call Sheet, and a Music Cue Sheet.  They can all be accessed here.

PHASE 3: VIDEO – Once the Pre-Production Phase is complete, the Pitch Winner(s) will each create twelve (12) 15-second Videos based upon their winning Pitch, each in both a square 1:1 aspect ratio and a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio, bringing the total number of deliverables to twenty four (24).  

--Video Phase Payout: Upon submitting a Video that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, completing Sponsor notes, providing the necessary release forms, and providing all assets required by the sponsor the Pitch winner will receive the final portion of their approved budget.

--Music: If you plan to source music from a library you will be required to use music from National Geographic’s provider, Extreme Music, which will be available to you at no charge solely for music incorporated into Submissions for this project. More details on this provider will be provided once you enter pre-production.

National Geographic also has an overall licensing agreement with Bleeding Fingers, which you may use for original music, but you must contact them to get a quote and cover the cost. 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit National Geographic's Music Commission Agreement.

PHASE 4: REVISIONS – During this phase, filmmakers will perform reasonable edits on their Videos according to the Sponsor’s feedback. 

PHASE 5: ASSETS DELIVERY –  You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec in order to submit final payment. You will be responsible for the costs associated the hard drive (if necessary) and shipping.

For Tongal’s file delivery specs and any other questions you may have about post production please click here.

1. The Video MUST not exceed 15 seconds in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you be selected as winner, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.

2. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.

3. In the event you utilize any third party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.

4. BY SUBMITTING A VIDEO ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.

6. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.

7. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.

8. Videos must be in the English language or subtitled.

9. Limit 5 submissions per member, per Phase.

10. You must be at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

11. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.

12. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the final Video based on their prior work and experience as a filmmaker.

13. The Sponsor will be entitled to reasonable revisions on the finished Videos without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot so try to get as much coverage as possible.

14. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases. You must also provide all project files, editing sequences and a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec to claim your award.

15. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.